Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 23 April
Photo:
Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz
Vanuatu football captain Brian Kaltak could be set to leave Central Coast Mariners FC.
The
Vanuatu Daily Post
reported Mariners coach Mark Jason revealed the news after the Mariners' 2-2 draw against Macarthur on Easter Sunday.
Jason said Kaltak, who played his 100th game for the club on Sunday, is heading to Asia.
He said the club wants to keep him but "he's set on moving overseas-and we respect that".
Kaltak has become a fan favourite in Gosford, helping guide the side to a championship title in 2023 and playing a major role in their treble-title-winning campaign last year.
A number of players with Pasifika heritage have been named in the Wallaroos squad for their 2025 commitments, including a test against the Fijiana Drua women on 3 May.
The list includes Brumbies forward Tabua Tuinakauvandra who debuted for the Wallaroos against Fiji in 2023.
Other players in the squad include Waratahs' Faliki Pohiva, who is of Tongan descent, and Brumbies player Katalina Amosa who has Samoan heritage.
The Wallaroos will also compete in the Pacific Four series, with home matches against New Zealand, USA and Canada.
Tonga Rugby League reportedly wants to host a Pacific Cup clash in Nuku'alofa from this year.
1News reported Tonga league coach Kristian Woolf is backing the plan.
RNZ Pacific has reached out to Tonga League board chairman, Lord Fakafanua, for confirmation.
Tonga will play the Pacific Cup series in October and November this year against Samoa and New Zealand.
Samoa national sports association president, Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork, says they have not confirmed their Pacific Mini Games team yet.
The
Samoa Observer
reported Tuaopepe saying the association is still working on securing funding before confirming their team, saying taking a team to Palau "is very expensive".
Tuaopepe confirmed their selection criteria for athletes is "winning gold medals from past Pacific Games and Oceania Championships", saying their aim is to achieve "nothing less than gold medals".
The Pacific Mini Games will roll off in Koror, Palau on 29 June.
The Apia Park complex in the Samoan capital is set to undergo a major facelift.
Samoa's Ministry of Sports and Recreation has confirmed that, effective immediately, the three grandstands located on the Western side of the
Grand Stadium at Apia Park, will be closed off.
The grandstands will be demolished, making way for the construction of a new and improved sports stadium.
The plan of action has been approved by the Samoan Cabinet, following recommendations provided by the Chinese team, who are overseeing the maintenance and upgrade of the Apia Park complex.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Black Sticks won't play in 'expensive' Pro League
Black Sticks men celebrate their win at the 2025 Nations Cup in Malaysia. Photo: WORLDSPORTPICS / PHOTOSPORT The Black Sticks will not participate in the FIH Pro League after Hockey New Zealand's concerns about the "expensive, travel-heavy" format were not addressed. New Zealand qualified for the top-tier men's competition by winning the Nations Cup last month , but the governing body said the current Pro League format was "misaligned with New Zealand's high-performance goals". The decision to withdraw was made following consultation with players, coaches and key stakeholders. Hockey New Zealand said they had "long advocated for a more flexible and inclusive Pro League model" and while the international governing body FIH is reviewing the competition "no changes have yet been made". Acting chief executive officer Ken Maplesden said the current format was "expensive, travel-heavy, and limits home games". "It doesn't support the sustainable, athlete-first programme we're building in New Zealand." The Black Sticks women also turned down their Pro League spot, earned by winning the Nations Cup in March, due to similar challenges. Maplesden believed opting out of the League highlighted the "structural barriers facing geographically remote nations like New Zealand" in the current competition set-up. "This wasn't taken lightly. We're proud of what both teams achieved to qualify. But after consultation with athletes and staff, it became clear the Pro League isn't workable for us right now." Returning to the Pro League remained a goal for Hockey New Zealand as long as it did not compromise a sustainable high-performance programme. Black Sticks men coach Greg Nicol said the decision not to play was in line with the New Zealand programme's aim of "prioritising wellbeing, smart preparation, and long-term success. We want to play the best, but not at the cost of people or the programme". The decision is supported by the New Zealand Hockey Players Association (NZHPA) and the organisation's executive manager Glen Sulzberger said the players " desperately" want to be part of top-level international hockey. "That right to participate should not come at such a high cost to them as players, and also to the game in New Zealand," Sulzberger said. "What is clear is that the Pro League does not meet its original objectives, nor has it evolved to become a viable competition. The FIH is failing its duty to the game." Black Sticks player Sam Lane said it was "disappointing" not to be able to compete after qualifying. "We understand the challenges with the league and implore the FIH to properly engage and listen to what athletes have to say," Lane said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
NZ swimmers touch down in Singapore for Aquatics Championships
A team of 12 New Zealand swimmers, including two defending world champions, have touched down in Singapore ahead of the World Aquatics Championships. Six athletes will make their Aquablack debut at the competition which started with open water swimming and will end in the pool. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
4 hours ago
- RNZ News
Coroner wants law change in corporate boxing
A coroner wants to see a law change when it comes to corporate boxing and for more stringent controls over such events after the death of Christchurch man Kain Parsons. Mr Parsons died following 30 blows to the head in a charity bout seven years ago. His family now want to see corporate boxing banned but are mostly backing the coroner's call for tougher controls. Adam Burns reports. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
